For our new cookbook, How to Cocktail, the America's Test Kitchen books team spent months developing new takes on cocktail classics and creating unique drinks you've never seen before. Once the test cooks finalized the recipes, our design team took over, finalizing all the visual details to take the recipes from the kitchen to the page. This creative team consists of food stylists, art directors, and photographers who work hard to make these liquid subjects as beautiful as possible. And when you work this closely with these gorgeous drinks, you're bound to have a favorite photo or two.
I spoke with three key members of the team that brought this book to life: art director Lindsey Chandler, food stylist Elle Simone, and photographer Steve Klise. I asked about their favorite images from a book full of photography that transports you to a different place each time you turn the page. Keep reading for some stories from the set, including what went into each of the photos and what makes each of them so special.